Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1887-03-10
IN THE MIDDLE WEST.
A Story Of Life in the Great
Mississippi Valley.
BY ALvA MILTON KERR
lCoPrnfGHT. 1884, ny TIVE A. N KELLOGG
NEWSPAPER CONPANY.l


lnAilEW Az ANlA-tONTihUEn
"This is brilliant, rosy and BRILLIANT"
he was saying as he leaned back with
his legs extended far and straight
under the table with toes turned up.
and with knife and fork standing loose
ly upon their handles within his hands
at either side Of his plate. "Slick and
brilliant Is the name of Ter, siri'' and
he winked both of his eyes at once and
very hard under his glasses. just who
he was addressing was not clear, but
TO julius 1t was not very material with
this exhilarating scene before him and
the kiss of n certain amber-colored
flask still lingering upon his lips.
''Slick and brilliant, sir, are terms that
fit 'er like a lily" he went on, blinking
his watery eyes up into the glare, land
nothing should suppress the encom-
iums due lavish and generous man
like Whitney, sirl Such an occasion
draws the soul of community out
and directs it--and lays it''-the others
were talking of something else and
Julius paused and looked steadily and
severely through his glasses at the Rev
erend Cuttleton for moment Then he
said, severely; "Mr. Cuttleton, sirr'
That pleasant gentleman inquiring
Julius pleasure. he proceodcd; III was
remarking, sir, that such brilliant and
rosy periods of unification as these had
a tendency 10 draw out the soul Of a
community and direct is forward in a
Hlicker, happier channel; and that the
praise due such civillzer as Whitney,
our Christian, Catholic. Democratic,
Republican host, could not be too in
tcnscly amplifod. Furthermore, il
such generous commercial organizers
us he, men with such brilliant and slick
capacities for accumulating and again
radiating in muniiicent and rosy hospi-
tality, could be sent abroad as mission
aries 10 the bcnightcd borders of the
world, sir, what might not their slick
and brilliant example achievcP"
Reverend Cuttlcton, not being pre-
pared TO say, Julius, after having Thus
lit, at once took wing again.
rNhy, sir, TO avoid ambiguity, /
must be permitted to advance the hum
BILE opinion that the example of such
missionaries could not be else than
electrical and Of amazing power as a
civilizing influence. What the heathen
need, sir, * not SO much religion as
money; money is tho slick thing, sirl
the liftefi the elevatorl the shining
agency that causes men to stand erect
and wear store clothesl How can a
naked human being, sir, who procures
his food by killing animals with a
spear pointed with the polished thigh
}Ono OF n cannibalized Christian mis-
eionary, ever be expected TO compre-
hcnd the subtitle principles and ideals
of Christianity Impossible, sir, inn
possible! They must iirst be moved
upon by tho pomp and circumstance
Of riches, and be crushed up
wards as II wercl A thousand con
siderations swim warmly into the
arena, sir; but the first step is money,
the next Is refinement. and refinement
alone Is capable Of wearing the crown
OF religious feeling. That Is the golden
ladder, sir, by which nations climb
into Heaven; that is the whole human
question, sir. compressed into a crystal
thimbler'
Julius lit again and glared through
his glasses at Rev. Mr. Cpttleton. Rev.
MIR. Cuttleton looked crushed. as who
would notP The Others at the table
were now listening. mainly from tho
fact that they could not well do other
wise. perhaps, aud Julius spread bis
wings andsprang into The air again.
bal,O WAS looking at his mother, and
his mOthef AZ her plate: the old LAWYER
was looking at Julius with grim
smile, for strange as il may appear he
was easily amused, and Absal6n, hav-
mg. eaten ovey thing within his reach.
looked much borne down upon by the
rich food and julius cloquence.
However sir. when the welfare of
our own Nation Is the only consider
alton 10 be laid in TIE balance, " Julius
continued, mo cloud comes more
flickly into prominence than the fact
that our whole missionary procedure
should be reversed; reversed, sir. Is the
word. The thieves. murdorors, de-
faulters and all criminals, MS fast as
should be shipped at once
10 henlhcn countries and bo placed in
exile, while our penitent:aries and
places Oi Incarceration shuuld he turned
Into greet and bcniliccnt schools for
me inslrus tlon and c1rroctlon OF unfor-
lunetc sud evil disposed children, thus
pNllrpallng and crushing tho poison IN
tho cfg, bir. as u were. The mission
aries should bo kept At homo and cm-
ployri IN The service n these great
establishments By this |
which under casual ex-
|In|nRl|pu seems selfish aud ignoble, |
ban IS Iar removed fnam thar. since our !
lnli|e with crime both al homo and |
|tfnad IS ~ futile ~ tho battles own !
upke VIZ at least AZ Nation might |
|,tlud no cleaning node ot purity !